Techniques and Literary

Devices
A. Mood/Tone
B. Foreshadowing
C. Symbolism and motif
Literary devices or literary techniques
are specific structures that writers
often use to add meaning or create
more compelling stories for the
reader. Some common examples are 
metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole,
and imagery. These techniques can
give the reader a greater
understanding and meaning of the
writers intent.
A. Mood/Tone
 Tone and mood are very often confused.
While definition of tone is the attitude the
author has toward the work, the mood
consists of the feelings the work produces
in an audience or reader.
 MOOD
 In literature, mood is a literary element that
evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through
words and descriptions.
 Usually, mood is referred to as the atmosphere of
a literary piece, as it creates an emotional setting
 that surrounds the readers. Mood is developed in
a literary piece through various methods,
including setting, theme, tone, and diction.
 Tone
 In literature, tone is the attitude or approach that
the author takes toward the work’s central theme
 or subject. Any emotion that humans can feel
can be an example of tone in literature.
B. Foreshadowing
 Short Examples of Foreshadowing
 The final graveyard flower is blooming, and its smell drifts
through their house, speaking gently the names of their dead.
(Foreshadows death)
 The evening was still. Suddenly, a cool breeze started
blowing and made a windy night.
(Foreshadows thunderstorm)
 The most awful thing happened on a stormy evening,
The battle between good and evil started.
(Foreshadows danger)
 Mary pulled back the curtains and saw some magpies sitting
on the wall.
(Foreshadows gossip)
 They thought there would not be more bodies; however, they
could not believe the thought.
(Foreshadows murder)
C. Symbolism and Motif
Examples
Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and
qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are
different from their literal sense.
 In our daily life, we can easily identify objects that can be taken as
examples of symbolism, such as the following:
 The dove is a symbol of peace.
 A red rose, or the color red, stands for love or romance.
 Black is a symbol that represents evil or death.
 A ladder may stand as a symbol for a connection between heaven and
earth.
 Ching Chua gave his wife a red rose. (In Chinese culture, the color red
symbolizes property and happiness.)
 Rebels raised a white flag to negotiate. (During war, the color white
symbolizes making peace with the enemy. Otherwise, it represents purity
and life.)
 Motif
 The literary device ‘motif’ is any element,
subject, idea or concept that is constantly
present through the entire body of literature.
Using a motif refers to the repetition of a specific
theme dominating the literary work. Motifs are
very noticeable and play a significant role in
defining the nature of the story, the course of
events and the very fabric of the literary piece.
 Example:
In many famed fairy tales, the motif of a
‘handsome prince’ falling in love with a ‘damsel
in distress’ and the two being bothered by a
wicked step mother, evil witch or beast and
finally conquering all to live ‘happily ever after’ is
a common motif.
 Another common motif is the simple, pretty
peasant girl or girl from a modest background in
fairy tales discovering that she is actually a royal
or noble by the end of the tale.
The typewriter:
 Throughout a novel, the main character considers buying a typewriter but
decides against it, as they are too expensive or old-fashioned. Deep-down she
wants one, as she has always dreamed of being a writer. The typewriter
emphasizes the theme of avoidance and the protagonist’s temptation to
pursue a different career.
Bad weather:
 Throughout a story, there is surprisingly bad weather—snow, freezing rain,
and even a tornado. These weather conditions further emphasize the larger
theme of nature’s power over humans.
A tuxedo:
 Throughout a poem, a man wears a tuxedo for a variety of occasions: his
wedding, his father’s funeral, and his own daughter’s wedding. The tuxedo
becomes a symbol of his changing duties as a husband, son, and father as he
ages.
As can be seen from these examples, motifs by definition are repetitive
throughout a narrative, to emphasize larger themes and ideas.
Shannaiah Kim Bali